Sporting Society of Algiers to present kids' bike race

Sporting Society of Algiers is trying to remedy a problem: a lack of athletic activities for children.

“As far as sporting competition goes, there’s not a whole lot for kids,” said Joe Hollier, president and founder of the new nonprofit organization with the mission of fostering a diverse sporting and social culture in Algiers. “It really was based on myself and Cain Burdeau, another friend and neighbor on Algiers Point. We had the idea of trying to just do more events or activities outside with kids.

“About a year ago we started playing soccer outside with kids from the neighborhood. We do it once a week over at Delcazel Park. We started it last summer right around the World Cup.” In summer, they meet at 6:45 p.m. on Mondays, and so far most of the participants have been 5- to 8-year-olds.

Early on, they started talking about the possibility of a bike race. “Cain comes from quite a history of bicycle racing. As a teenager he participated in a lot of bicycling events in Italy where he was living at the time.

“We had discussed doing something — smaller than a multi-stage Italian bicycle race — but an event that kids didn’t normally participate in,” but might really enjoy. “Just about every kid loves to ride a bike, and I know when I was a kid, just the opportunity to race your friends and ride around the neighborhood was a fun thing to do on weekends.”

Their first race, the Cirque d’Algiers, will be Sept. 10.

A fundraiser for the event will be Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran’s Borcherding Hall. It will feature a Calliope Puppets show and silent auction plus food and drinks. Volunteer Liz King, who has planned the event, said, “We wanted to gear it to families.” In addition to enjoying the puppet show, children will be able to make a puppet to take home. “It’s $6 for kids 2 and up, free for kids under 2 and adults are $12. For the silent auction we’ve got lots of good donations — Audubon Institute and CAC family memberships, gift certificates to restaurants, art, a bicycle, lots of good stuff.”

Hollier said that for the race in September, “We’ll have both sides of Opelousas blocked off. We’re going to have the blocks from Vallette Street through to Nunez, so it will go right past Delcazel Park.”

There will be three age groups: 5 to 6, 7 to 8 and 9 to 10.

“We’re going to have a family ride, where families can go and ride around on the street. We’re also going to bring in some street performers, unicyclists and others. We’re talking to some of the circus art people from the International School, and we’re working with Behrman’s art department to make it more of a neighborhood event, as well as inviting all the local restaurants to participate.”

To make sure the race runs smoothly, each age category is limited to 25 riders, and registration is already open. “We already have a few folks signed up so we’re asking people to sign up earlier rather than later. If we get a lot of interest and support, we’ll make it a bigger event next year.”

While the Cirque d’Algiers will be SSA’s signature event, and the Monday evening soccer will continue, there will be additional events. “Every month or two we’ll do a special day or occasion where we present an obstacle course race or soccer skills or a skateboarding event. Over the course of the year, we will introduce new athletes or sports to children, whether it’s skateboarding or triathlon, a particular soccer skill,” or even jump rope.

Hollier and Burdeau’s intent is to gauge interest and gather feedback from the community, then create events catered to those interests. Hollier emphasized, “The idea ultimately is to grow within greater Algiers. This isn’t just an Algiers Point organization. We want to bring in kids from the surrounding neighborhoods, and some of the workshops that we hold will be in other parts of Algiers.

“Our long-term goal is to raise money through donations or sponsors so that we can also develop facilities, whether it’s a soccer field or a climbing wall, so kids have more places to play, and more than just open green spaces.”

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The Kiwanis Club of Algiers – Morning Edition meets every Thursday morning from 7 to 8 at Aurora Tennis and Swim Club. This morning, the guest speaker is Calvin Foy, NORD park supervisor for Norman Playground. Next week’s speaker will be Joe Stephens, speaking on the history of the stock market.

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Every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., it’s Toddler Story Time at the temporary location of the Hubbell Library, 225 Morgan, Algiers Point.

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Next Wednesday on the Point will feature Latin Night with Otra, Javier and Elegant Gypsy, from 6 to 9 p.m. in front of the Algiers Courthouse, in the open area near the ferry landing.

Amy Hubbell is an Algiers resident who writes about people and events in the community. To reach her, call her at 504.322.7479 or email her at amyhubbell@aol.com.